For the record, if the Mets and Royals miss the playoffs, the last time two World Series teams failed to make the postseason following a World Series appearance was 2007 with the Cardinals and Tigers.

Not being a gymnastics expert, I can’t say with any validity that Simone Biles is the best of all-time, however, I would love to hear an argument saying the contrary after her 5 gold medal performance in Rio.

Speaking of the Olympics, with the continued success of Michael Phelps, it’s interesting to re-read the Sports Illustrated Tim Layden piece below from Nov. 2015 on the path that led him to rehab and life after checking in.

Finishing up on the Olympics, with their loss to Sweden, the U.S. Women's Soccer team fails to reach the Gold Medal game for the first time since women's soccer became an Olympic sport in 1996.

(People)

If you’re keeping track at home, the Red Sox, at the beginning of an 11 game road trip, won’t play another home game until Friday August 26th.

There is something wrong with the NBA salary cap structure when it took LeBron James 13 seasons to become the game’s highest paid player.

Speaking of the NBA, according to ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle, the Celtics have the easiest schedule in the league this season. The hardest? Who else but the Golden State Warriors.

If Tony Romo doesn’t win games early this season, the calls for Mississippi State rookie QB Dak Prescott are going to get louder and louder. The first four for Dallas? The Giants, at Washington, Chicago, and on the road in San Fran.

(Bleacher Report)

Speaking of the NFL, if you are looking for an underdog division bet, try the New York Giants at +220. As painful as it is to root for the G-Men, keep in mind that Giants have the second easiest schedule in the NFL, have a new head coach, and are playing in a division in which the 2015 champion finished with a record of 9-7.

How would Jonathan Papelbon fit with old friend Tito Francona bolstering the bullpen in Cleveland? Although 35 years old and sporting a career high 3.47 ERA, the risk is low and reward is high if he can help the tribe come October.

Look for the Pittsburgh Penguins to emerge as a late contender for Harvard superstar Jimmy Vessey. In addition to the Bruins, favorites to land the youngster include Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, and as a dark horse, New Jersey.

Expect a short leash this season for third year Texas Head Coach Charlie Strong. With an 11-14 record in his first two seasons and the Longhorns unranked entering the 2016-17 season, the situation will most likely get worse for the former Louisville coach before they get better.

The time for John Farrell to bench Travis Shaw may be approaching. In the second half of the season thus far, Shaw is hitting .192 with 5 HR and 10 RBI’s. The issue appears to be worse against lefties, who Shaw has a .196 batting average against this year with 4 HR and 19 RBI’s in 92 at bats.

(Fire)

If you are starting to collect firewood for the cold New England winter, look no further than Lars Anderson’s new book “The Mannings: The Rise and Fall of a Football Family”. The opening line of the description on Amazon reads “What the Kennedy’s are to politics, the Mannings are to football.”